Renewing Your Mind – "What Is a Covenant?" (December 11, 2025)

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode features guest teacher Dr. J.V. Fesco (Harriet Barber Professor, RTS Jackson) introducing the foundational question: "What is a covenant?" Through biblical exposition and theological reflection, Dr. Fesco explores the concept of covenant in Scripture—its definition, significance, characteristics, and various types—laying the groundwork for a broader series on covenant theology and its role in understanding God's unifying story of redemption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Marriage Metaphor & Covenantal Redemption

• [00:00–02:34]
  • Israel at Sinai is described as a "faithless bride" who broke her covenant with God.
  • Jesus, described as the true bridegroom, enters into a covenantal marriage to redeem the church.
  • The biblical motif of marriage as covenant is traced from Adam and Eve, through Israel, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ and His church.
  • Revelation 19’s marriage supper imagery demonstrates the culmination of God's covenantal plan:
    "Let us rejoice and exalt... for the marriage of the Lamb has come." (Revelation 19:7)
  • Marriage in the Bible, both literal and metaphorical, is a prime example of covenant.

2. Covenant as the Framework of Redemptive History

• [02:35–09:09]

  • God’s plan is unveiled through a sequence of covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the promised New Covenant.

  • Jesus as "the last Adam" and the church as "the last Eve" (1 Cor. 15:45) establishes Christ’s obedience and sacrificial love as the fulfillment of all prior covenants.

  • The Song of Songs is called "the holy of Holies of the Old Testament," viewed as a commentary on lost and restored paradise through covenant love.

    Quote [03:43]:
    "If Jesus is the last Adam, well, then the church is the last Eve. And if the first Adam failed to obey God, then the last Adam is going to come to obey his Father and lay down his life for his bride, to redeem her, to save her."
    — J.V. Fesco

3. Understanding Covenant Theology

• [09:10–10:48]
  • The covenants form the "big picture" of Scripture, akin to stepping back from Monet’s Water Lilies—seeing the grand design and unity.
  • Three classic theological covenants (from Reformation theology):
    • Covenant of Redemption: Within the Trinity before creation.
    • Covenant of Works: With Adam in Eden.
    • Covenant of Grace: God’s ongoing rescue of sinful humanity through Christ.
  • The series will explore these theological covenants and their signs and implications for the church.

4. Defining ‘Covenant’ in Scripture

• [10:49–16:02]

  • "Covenant" appears 301 times in the ESV, yet is a challenging word to define.

  • Simple definition:
    "A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons." (citing the Children’s Catechism)

  • Example: Isaiah 28:15 equates “covenant” and “agreement.”

  • Warns against rigid or overly narrow definitions—context determines the full meaning, much like the word "trunk" in English can refer to different things.

    Quote [12:43]:
    "Context determines meaning... when we look at the subsequent covenants throughout Scriptures, we can use that basic strategy of defining the term 'covenant' as an agreement, but then adjusting that definition as necessary."
    — J.V. Fesco

5. Common Characteristics of Covenants

• [16:03–23:09]

  • Oaths: Swearing an oath is central (e.g., Abraham and Abimelech at Beersheba, Genesis 21:31).

  • Laws/Commands: Covenants often involve commands/statutes/promises (Psalm 105:8–10).

  • Animal Sacrifices: Signify the seriousness of covenant (Genesis 15:9–18; Jeremiah 34:18–20).

    • Cutting animals symbolized a self-maledictory oath: "If I break my word, let me be like these animals."

  • Blessings and Curses: Faithfulness brings blessing; breaking the covenant brings curses (Exodus 20:4–6).

    • God alone passes between the animal halves in Genesis 15, signifying He will bear the curse for Abraham’s failure.

  • Love: Covenants are motivated and characterized by steadfast love (Deuteronomy 7:9).

  • Witnesses: Human and divine witnesses often attest to covenants (e.g., Jacob and Laban in Genesis).

  • Signs: Physical tokens as covenant reminders (e.g., rainbow with Noah, circumcision with Abraham).

    Quote [20:59]:
    "Stunningly, what [God is] also saying to Abraham is, if you break your word, may the curses of the covenant fall on me... God is taking and swearing this self-maledictory oath upon himself."
    — J.V. Fesco

6. Types of Covenants in Scripture

• [23:00–23:09]
  • Within the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’s eternal agreement (Covenant of Redemption).
  • Between God and Humans:
    • Covenant of Works: Adam.
    • Covenant of Grace: All of redeemed humanity.
  • Between Humans:
    • Covenants among equals (e.g., Jonathan and David).
    • Lord–servant covenants (e.g., Joshua and the Gibeonites).
    • Marriage covenants as paradigmatic examples.

7. Concluding Emphasis

• [23:09–23:10]

  • All biblical covenants are subsumed under the headings: Covenant of Redemption, Covenant of Works, or Covenant of Grace.

  • Context in Scripture always determines specific meaning and implications.

    Quote [23:08]:
    "All of God’s covenants either fall under the covenant of redemption or the covenant of works or the covenant of grace."
    — J.V. Fesco

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [03:43] — “If Jesus is the last Adam, well, then the church is the last Eve. And if the first Adam failed to obey God, then the last Adam is going to come to obey his Father and lay down his life for his bride, to redeem her, to save her.”
  — J.V. Fesco
• [12:43] — “Context determines meaning... when we look at the subsequent covenants throughout Scriptures, we can use that basic strategy of defining the term 'covenant' as an agreement, but then adjusting that definition as necessary.” — J.V. Fesco
• [20:59] — “Stunningly, what [God is] also saying to Abraham is, if you break your word, may the curses of the covenant fall on me... God is taking and swearing this self-maledictory oath upon himself.”
  — J.V. Fesco
• [23:08] — “All of God’s covenants either fall under the covenant of redemption or the covenant of works or the covenant of grace.”
  — J.V. Fesco

Noteworthy Segment Timestamps

• [00:00–02:34] Introduction & marriage as a covenant
• [02:35–09:09] The storyline of Scripture through covenant
• [09:10–10:48] Theological categories from Reformation thought
• [10:49–16:02] Defining "covenant" in Scripture
• [16:03–23:09] Characteristics and types of biblical covenants

Summary Flow & Utility

Dr. Fesco provides a clear conceptual and scriptural overview of covenants, emphasizing that all of God’s redemptive dealings—from creation to consummation—are structured by covenant promises, obligations, and relationships. He highlights oaths, laws, sacrifices, blessings/curses, love, witnesses, and signs as key features, and calls listeners to see covenant as the “big picture” of the Bible. Through memorable analogies and careful biblical exposition, he invites believers to deeper understanding and gratitude for God's covenant love.

This episode is ideal for those wanting to grasp how covenant fits into the Bible’s storyline—and why it is essential for understanding salvation, the person and work of Christ, and the Christian life.